Passing the Bar Exam

July 2, 2022

Passing the bar exam is HARD. So I wanted to share with you my tips and tricks to passing the bar exam on your first try. 

1. Get a Tutor

Some people think that you only need a tutor if you don't pass the exam the first time. I'm here to tell you that you should do everything in your power to pass the first time. It might be too expensive for some, but it's less expensive than having to pay for a bar prep course a second or a third time. I loved having a tutor. She helped me focus my studies and ensured I knew which laws to memorize and which were not worth my time. 

2. Know Your Learning Style

It's important to know your learning style. These styles include audio, visual, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. I have always needed to use a combination of learning styles to retain information. Me, I created visual study guides, practiced with flashcards, and physically wrote out the laws I needed to memorize. 

3. Study Past Exams

My tutor was the one who encouraged me to study past bar exams. Let me tell you... this was GENIUS! I memorized the laws tested in the last four years of the bar exam essays. When I took the exam, there was only one subquestion of another subquestion that hadn't been tested before. So I was able to walk away knowing that I passed. 

4. Use Your Village

Sometimes people get in their heads about the bar exam, and they like to self-isolate. However, it is vital that you use your village to succeed. You can study with your law school friends because they are going through the same thing you are. It's very helpful to have that kind of comradery. On the other hand, you have a village of non-legal persons who have helped you through the ups and downs already. Something I found helpful was asking my non-legal friend to quiz me using the flashcards I created. We had fun and I didn't have anyone arguing with me about the content. 

5. Have A Life

Yes, the bar exam is the hardest test you will have to take in your life. But you can't pass the exam if you are not fueled properly. So eat, sleep, work out, breathe, and hang out with your friends. It's worth it so you can recharge properly. 

6. Be Confident

Other people will study differently than you and that's okay. Remember, you passed law school doing what you do best. So take that game plan and transfer it to the bar exam.